US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is expected to reveal her vice-presidential running mate today. The announcement will be followed by a five-day tour of crucial battleground states, with the presidential election just three months away.
Harris, who recently took over the top spot on the Democratic ticket from Joe Biden, has energized her campaign, surpassing fundraising records and closing the gap with Republican rival Donald Trump. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is widely speculated to be her choice, alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Reports suggest that Harris will make the announcement via a video.
The campaign’s swing state tour will start with a rally at Temple University in Philadelphia, followed by visits to Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. Planned stops in North Carolina and Georgia have been postponed due to a tropical storm, with the campaign yet to provide details on rescheduling.
Shapiro’s potential selection could bolster Harris’s appeal in Pennsylvania, a key state in the upcoming election. His selection would also make history as the first Jewish vice president, although his stance on Israel has drawn some criticism from the left. Meanwhile, Walz is seen as a strong communicator with a rural Midwestern perspective, though he is viewed as part of the party’s liberal wing.
Other candidates considered include Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Harris began her search for a running mate after Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race on July 21, as Trump gained momentum following a Republican National Convention boost.
Recent polls show Harris gaining ground, with a Morning Consult survey placing her ahead of Trump nationally. However, a CBS News poll highlights challenges, particularly among Black voters, suggesting that the race remains tight. David Axelrod, former strategist for Barack Obama, warns that the battle ahead will be fiercely contested.
